Many programmes in Continental Europe Still Open: Alert List

The following programmes, all taught through English, are amongst those still accepting application for entry this year. Note also that for many programmes, where published deadlines have passed, EUNiCAS might be able to encourage a university to consider 'late' applications. Contact
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for more information and advice.

Note: U. Maastricht has advised EUNiCAS that some of its programmes are accepting applications, for entry this year, until 30 August

University of Twente's innovative Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences is still open for applications from EU students. [Application Deadline: 15 August] This exciting programme, offered at the university’s Academy of Technology and Liberal Arts & Sciences (ATLAS) combines Technology with Social Sciences . It offers an interdisciplinary programme for students, integrating social and technical perspectives into a 'new engineering' approach.

ATLAS offers a unique approach to learning: the programme is project-driven and centered around real-world themes (Human Movement, Nano-Robotics, Tracers for Personal Safety, Smart 3D Printing, Alternatives for Renewable Energy or the feasibility of a Mars Space Station. More details of the programme here.

English student Nick Gregory, currently studying on the programme, points to three key elements of the programme: “First of all, I liked the breadth. Other programmes more or less force you to commit yourself to a field you may not even be sure about yet. ATLAS offers a very broad perspective, while at the same time leaving room for specialising . The second attraction to me was the project-based educational method, in which you are constantly applying knowledge to real-world issues and situations. It’s completely different from just sitting though lectures and passing your exams. The third point is the fact that ATLAS is not just knowledge-centred: because of the way things are done here, you get to develop other skills, such as leadership skills”

Above: U. Twente Student Housing

Attractively, on-campus accommodation[ in one of the only campus universities in the Netherlands setting] is guaranteed for selected students.

Tuition Fees for Liberal Arts programmes in the Netherlands are higher than the statutory tuition fee of EUR1906; fees are EUR3182 at ATLAS. However the full fee can be claimed in the Dutch Tuition Fee Loan system.Contact EUNiCAS
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for details of further student funding available in the Netherlands. You should also note that ATLAS has a Scholarship Scheme, available to EU students, and the 01 April deadline to apply to this fund has been extended. Details here

For information on, and support for, applying to this programme, you should contact EUNiCAS

New Med Degree Launched in Milan For Entry This Year

Written
on Saturday, 25 May 2019 22:18

It was announced yesterday, by a new private university in Milan, that it is launching a new degree programme in Medicine & Surgery, which is now taking applications for entry 2014. Humanitas University is a new university, accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education. It is part of the Humanitas Group, one of Italy’s leading groups of hospitals, the flagship research hospital of which forms the core of the Humanitas degree programme.

The programme gives particular focus to interactive teaching, which consists mostly of group activities and team-work coordinated by a tutor. Examples of such methods are Problem Based Learning, Case Method, Problem Solving, Concept Maps and Portfolios.

Entry to the programme is through another round of IMAT , sat on 16th September 2014. The application deadline for this is 3rd September. Exams can be sat accross the world, including centres in London, Manchester and Dublin.

In a letter yesterday, addressed to the President of the Kamer der Staten-Generaal [Chamber of the States-General: the Dutch Parliament], Dutch Minister of Education Jet Bussemaker announced her intention to launch a new EUR5 million Scholarship programme aimed at boosting the internationalisation of Dutch Higher Education, including attracting “top talent” from amongst international students.

In her letter, Minister Bussemaker states that “this programme will focus primarily on international students from outside the EU, but will also be open to Dutch students (both incoming and outgoing).” Though more details are to announced shortly, Dutch Universities, in conversation with EUNiCAS, understand that some of the budget will be available for incoming EU [including British and Irish] students.

Nominally, the programme budgets for EUR5000 per student, half the cost of which will be borne by universities, for incoming students. In making this programme available, the Minister understands that “Top students from abroad will raise the level and improve the success rate, of Dutch students”

There are not yet any details available of the basis on which these scholarships will be awarded. Details of the announcement [in Dutch]can be found on the Dutch Ministry of Education website here

Please contact EUNiCAS for details, on
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and we will keep you up-to date as further details are released

Dutch and Scandinavians Top Worldwide English Proficiency Rankings

Written
on Saturday, 25 May 2019 22:18

The Netherlands and the Scandinavian countries are the most proficient speakers of English globally, outside those countries where English is an official language, according to the EF Proficiency Index. Universities in these countries offer the highest numbers of degree programmes, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, that are taught through English.

Economies are becoming more globalised, work more delocalised, and information more decentralised. A shared language is a necessary tool when communication is no longer tied to geography. English is that tool, now more than ever. Educational institutions, driven by the demands of society, are increasingly embracing English language learning, and English, as a language of learning.

A high percentage of the students registered on the English-taught programmes in Continental Europe are non-native speakers of English, particularly students from the Netherlands, Germany and the Baltic states. UK and Irish students studying on programmes in the Netherlands and Scandinavia report that most students their age are fluent in English. The biggest foreign language challenge facing our students is to get an opportunity to practice their Dutch or Danish language skills.

At the other end of the European proficiency rankings are France and Italy, which have low English language proficiency rankings. English and Irish students in these countries, and Spain, report that a TEFL qualification proves a useful investment before they travel to study on degree programmes there, as English-language teaching can provide a useful income supplement while they are studying.